"Yellow alert issued in Mindanao affecting power supply"
Rojean Grace G. Patumbon reported on the Power Situation Outlook for August 13, 2025, highlighting the current status of the power grid in Mindanao following the Yellow Alert status declared by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
The Yellow Alert, issued on August 1, 2025, indicated that available power generation capacity in Mindanao was nearing the expected peak demand, primarily due to multiple power plant outages and derated capacities. This alert, typically effective in the early evening hours from 6 to 8 p.m., has not led to widespread outages, but it does reflect underlying vulnerabilities linked to aging infrastructure.
The Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric plants, for instance, have seen their generation capacity decline to about half of their rated 1,000-megawatt potential due to wear and rising demand over the years. This reduction has increased reliance on more costly coal power and contributed to the fragile supply situation.
Despite these challenges, the power grid in Mindanao remains stable. The Department of Energy and generation firms have been directed to prioritise the restoration of power plants currently on forced or derated outage to stabilise the grid. Renewable energy advocates also urge faster rehabilitation of hydro plants like Agus and Pulangi to provide more cost-effective and sustainable energy and help prevent future power gaps.
As of August 11, 2025, Mindanao has a transmission capacity of 4,697 MW, an existing dependable power plant capacity of 3,291 MW, and 1,406 MW of available transmission capacity. However, the available electricity supply is still struggling to meet the demand due to power outages caused by power plants that have shut down unexpectedly or are under maintenance, reducing the generation capacity.
Fermin Edillon, head of the Reputation Enhancement Department at Davao Light, has not yet announced official power rates for August. He did, however, state that the August power outage may be reduced by the following day and will be posted on their official Facebook page.
Edillon made these statements at Ayala Malls Abreeza on August 13, 2025. He also explained that due to the "yellow alert", two power plants have shut down, affecting power supply in Mindanao, including that in Davao. The NGCP's yellow alert status for power supply in Mindanao is affecting the power supply in Davao.
The power outage in July reached P8.70 per kilowatt-hour, one of the highest in the Davao Region. The power outages in Visayas and Mindanao, as announced by the NGCP, are expected to affect power supply in the Davao region.
In conclusion, while the Yellow Alert signals a tight power supply situation in Mindanao due to plant outages and aging infrastructure, the grid remains stable at present with active measures underway to restore generation capacity and prevent more severe disruptions. Residents in Davao and throughout Mindanao can remain cautiously optimistic about the power situation, with updates and improvements expected in the coming days.
The power outages in Visayas and Mindanao, including Davao, are expected to persist due to the Yellow Alert status declared by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The energy supply in Davao, Philippines, is being affected by the shutdown of two power plants due to the Yellow Alert. The power outage rates in Davao reached P8.70 per kilowatt-hour in July, one of the highest in the region.
